Otjiwarongo’s DRC settlement gets N$33.5m sanitation, road upgrade
Pit latrines, open defecation set to end
A N$33.5 million road revamp and bulk sewer upgrade to eliminate pit latrines and stop open defecation in Otjiwarongo’s DRC informal settlement officially began on Monday.
The project marks a major step toward improving living conditions for thousands of residents.
The Otjiwarongo municipality launched the project during a groundbreaking ceremony near the Laduma soccer field.
The initiative is part of a wider urban development programme designed to formalise informal settlements and expand services to vulnerable communities.
As part of the project, 1.8 kilometres of access road into the settlement will be upgraded at a cost of N$9.5 million, in partnership with the urban and rural development ministry.
The Road Fund Administration (RFA) has contributed an additional N$6.5 million, enabling the municipality to construct a road designed for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike.
Crucial lifeline
Once completed, the upgraded access route is expected to improve emergency response times, reduce vehicle repair costs for residents, and provide safer, more reliable daily mobility.
Speaking at the ceremony, deputy urban and rural development minister Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele stressed that robust infrastructure plays a crucial role in national efforts to formalise informal settlements.
She described well-constructed roads as “lifelines that unlock economic activity and enhance safety for families.”
Public health boost
In addition to road works, the project includes a N$17.5 million bulk sewer system aimed at eliminating unsafe pit latrines and curbing the widespread practice of open defecation in the area.
Municipal engineers noted that the new sanitation infrastructure will significantly reduce public health risks by providing safer, more hygienic waste-disposal options for hundreds of households.
Once connected to Otjiwarongo’s formal service network, the DRC settlement is expected to benefit from cleaner environmental conditions, improved sanitation and more reliable municipal services.
Municipal officials affirmed that the DRC development forms part of a long-term strategy to modernise informal settlements and improve service delivery across the town.
They emphasised that the investment represents more than an infrastructure upgrade – it is a step toward integrating DRC into Otjiwarongo’s broader urban landscape, promoting safety, dignity and social inclusion.
With work now underway, residents expressed hope that the project signals the beginning of lasting change, bringing basic services, better mobility and renewed confidence in the town’s development priorities.
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The project marks a major step toward improving living conditions for thousands of residents.
The Otjiwarongo municipality launched the project during a groundbreaking ceremony near the Laduma soccer field.
The initiative is part of a wider urban development programme designed to formalise informal settlements and expand services to vulnerable communities.
As part of the project, 1.8 kilometres of access road into the settlement will be upgraded at a cost of N$9.5 million, in partnership with the urban and rural development ministry.
The Road Fund Administration (RFA) has contributed an additional N$6.5 million, enabling the municipality to construct a road designed for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike.
Crucial lifeline
Once completed, the upgraded access route is expected to improve emergency response times, reduce vehicle repair costs for residents, and provide safer, more reliable daily mobility.
Speaking at the ceremony, deputy urban and rural development minister Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele stressed that robust infrastructure plays a crucial role in national efforts to formalise informal settlements.
She described well-constructed roads as “lifelines that unlock economic activity and enhance safety for families.”
Public health boost
In addition to road works, the project includes a N$17.5 million bulk sewer system aimed at eliminating unsafe pit latrines and curbing the widespread practice of open defecation in the area.
Municipal engineers noted that the new sanitation infrastructure will significantly reduce public health risks by providing safer, more hygienic waste-disposal options for hundreds of households.
Once connected to Otjiwarongo’s formal service network, the DRC settlement is expected to benefit from cleaner environmental conditions, improved sanitation and more reliable municipal services.
Municipal officials affirmed that the DRC development forms part of a long-term strategy to modernise informal settlements and improve service delivery across the town.
They emphasised that the investment represents more than an infrastructure upgrade – it is a step toward integrating DRC into Otjiwarongo’s broader urban landscape, promoting safety, dignity and social inclusion.
With work now underway, residents expressed hope that the project signals the beginning of lasting change, bringing basic services, better mobility and renewed confidence in the town’s development priorities.
[email protected]
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